Indonesia's Most Endangered Mammals

A megadiverse country facing extreme environmental challenges and habitat losses, Indonesia has many critically endangered mammals calling it home.

A Javan Leopard in the wild.

Indonesia
is a megadiverse country facing extreme environmental challenges and habitat
loss, an unfortunate effect extending to its many critically endangered mammals. Indonesia’s numerous islands
are home to some of the world’s iconic and endemic mammals. Some of these
mammals are however endangered from an environmental threat such as habitat
loss and poaching.

Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas)

The Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) only inhibits the Island of Java in Indonesia. The leopard’s color can either be entirely black or orange with spots. The leopard has a wide habitat range on the island, from dense tropical rainforest to dry deciduous forests. The Javan leopard feeds on other animals such as wild boar, deer, Javan gibbon, silvery lutung, and long-tailed macaques. The leopard also preys on domestic animals such as poultry and dogs. The Javan leopard is one of the world’s most threatened big cat species. The leopard’s sustainability is continuously threatened by poaching, human encroachment, extensive agriculture and loss of habitat. Population pressure has caused 90% of Java’s natural vegetation to be cleared. The leopard’s numbers is estimated at less than 250 mature individuals and is already cause for environmental alarm. The leopard is conserved in several national parks such as Ujung Kulon National Park, Merapi National Park, Gunung Halimun National Park, and Baluran National Park. Poaching of the animal has subsequently been made illegal.

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is the smallest tiger subspecies, and is only found on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.The tiger has an orange coat with black stripes. The tiger’s habitat ranges from lowland forest, mountain forest to tropical rainforest, and swamp forests. The Tiger has slightly webbed paws, which helps it to swim in pursuit of prey. Its diet mainly consists of wild boar, deer, tapir, monkeys, cattle, and fish. The leopard hunts mostly at night. The tiger has been on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN's) Red List as a Critically Endangered species since 2008. The Sumatran tiger is continuously threatened by habitat loss and hunting. The tiger is conserved in five national parks and two game reserves, the largest numbers being in the Gunung Leuser National Park. About 100 are believed to be unprotected in the world, making them susceptible to human interference.

Javan Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is one of the most threatened rhinos on earth, and one which is found on the Island of Java in Indonesia. The animal’s skin is scale-like and ranges from gray-brown to gray, and it has one gray or brownish color horn. The rhinoceros has a long pointed upper lip to assist in food grasping, and it is herbivorous. The Javan rhinoceros is estimated to live for an average of between 35 to 40 years while in the wild. The rhinoceros has a great sense of smell but it is short-sighted, and it is, for the most part, a solitary animal. The rhinoceros had a wide habitat range, both in the lowland and highlands and it currently exists as a single population in Ujung Kulon peninsula, on Java Island. The largest threat to the rhinoceros has been poaching for their horns coupled with habitat degradation. The Ujung Kulon peninsula remains protected to sustain their already dismal numbers. Poaching of the rhinoceros is also illegal on Java Island.

Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)

The Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) is a species of the orangutan primates inhabiting the Indonesian island of Sumatra. There, the species is mainly concentrated on the highly significant Leuser Ecosystem. Recent statistics estimate the species’ population to be at 14,613. The animal is characterized by pale red long hair and a long face. The Sumatran Orangutan feeds on insects and fruits as well as bird eggs. The species makes tools from branches for use while searching for food. The animal spends most of its time on trees because of predators and has adopted various locomotion techniques due to its heavy size. The animal has five life cycles and can live for more than 50 years. The species is listed as Critically Endangered and is threatened by continued degradation of the Leuser Ecosystem. Logging, human encroachment, and mining activities have adversely affected the species’ population. Sumatran Orangutan inhabits the Gunung Leuser National Park and the Bukit Lawang, where conservation programs have been established.